ara CHRYSLER ASPEN 2008 2.G Service Manual

Drive Shaft Constant Velocity Joints
All 4-wheel drive models are equipped with four con-
stant velocity joints. Periodic lubrication of these joints is
not required. However, the joint boot should be inspected
for external leakage or damage periodically. If external
leakage or damage is evident, the joint boot and grease
should be replaced immediately. Continued operation
could result in failure of the joint due to water and dirt
contamination of the grease. This would require com-
plete replacement of the joint assembly. Refer to the
Service Manual for the detailed replacement procedure.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, doors, liftgate, and hood hinges should be
lubricated periodically to assure quiet, easy operation
and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the appli-
cation of any lubricant, the parts concerned should be
wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after lubricating
excess oil and grease should be removed. Particularattention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to ensure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch release mechanism
and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the fall and spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant such as MopartLock
Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
The rubber edges of the wiper blades and the windshield
should be cleaned periodically with a sponge or soft cloth
and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accu-
mulations of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, don't open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radiator
is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the A/C condenser and
radiator for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty,
402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The presence of water in the gear lubricant will
result in corrosion and possible failure of differential
components. Operation of the vehicle in water, as may be
encountered in some off-highway types of service, will
require draining and refilling the axle to avoid damage.
Rear Axle
Rear Axle fluid levels should be 7/8 in (22 mm) +/- 1/4
in (6 mm) below the fill hole for 8 1/4 in (21 cm) and 9
1/4 (23 cm) in axles should be 1 5/8 in (31 mm) +/- 1/4
in (6 mm)
Front Axle
Front axle fluid level should be 3/4 in (20 mm) +/- 1/4 in
(6 mm) below the level of the fill hole.
Appearance Care and Protection From Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
414 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire's manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear 1-1/2 times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the actualconditions of their use, however, and may depart signifi-
cantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 455
9

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
456 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............205,290
Adding Fuel........................... 336
Adjustable Pedals....................... 155
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 394
Air Conditioner Maintenance............249,398
Air Conditioning........................ 249
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 261
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone................ 253
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............398,399
Air Conditioning System................249,398
Air Filter........................384,385,394
Air Pressure, Tires....................313,321
Airbag.............................53,213
Airbag Light..........................61,76
Alarm, Panic............................ 24
Alarm (Security Alarm).................18,205
Alignment and Balance................... 320
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 238Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........403,404,436
Disposal............................ 406
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............290,294
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 205
Anti-Theft System.....................18,205
Appearance Care........................ 414
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm)......... 19
Assistance Towing....................... 101
Audio Systems (Radio).................217,220
Auto Unlock, Doors...................... 170
Automatic Dimming Mirror...............84,88
Automatic Door Locks..................31,170
Automatic Headlights.................... 147
Automatic Transaxle....................12,274
Automatic Transmission.............271,274,410
Adding Fluid......................... 411
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 412
Fluid Level Check...................... 410
Fluid Type........................... 438
458 INDEX

Cooling System......................... 402
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 404
Coolant Capacity...................... 436
Coolant Level......................402,406
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 406
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 403
Inspection........................... 406
Points to Remember.................... 406
Pressure Cap......................... 405
Radiator Cap......................... 405
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......403,436,437
Temperature Gauge..................... 203
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 156
Cup Holder............................ 189
Customer Assistance..................... 449
Data Recorder, Event...................... 62
Daytime Running Lights................... 148
Dealer Service.......................... 389Defroster, Rear Window................... 265
Defroster, Windshield................76,251,257
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 152
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 386
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player..........217,220
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 204
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission................. 410
Oil (Engine).......................... 390
Power Steering........................ 398
Disarming, Theft System................... 19
Disc Brakes............................ 408
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 406
Door Locks............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 170
Door Opener, Garage..................... 176
Drive Belts............................ 393
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 400
INDEX 461
10

Power Steering........................ 398
Transfer Case......................... 413
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 437
Fog Lights..........................148,435
Folding Rear Seat.....................129,133
Four Wheel Drive....................... 280
Operation........................... 280
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 366
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 378
Front Axle (Differential)................... 414
Fuel................................. 331
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................336,337
Filter............................... 395
Gauge.............................. 203
Octane Rating......................331,437
Requirements......................331,436
Tank Capacity........................ 436Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution..................... 338
Fuses.....................188,419,420,423,426
Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) ........... 176
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............336,337,386
Gas Gauge (Fuel Gauge)................... 203
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 331
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 332
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 203
Fuel................................ 203
Odometer.........................206,208
Speedometer......................... 205
Tachometer.......................... 206
Gear Ranges........................... 275
General Information.................17,115,331
464 INDEX

Glass Cleaning.......................... 418
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............343,346
Gross Cargo Weight...................... 342
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 345
GVWR............................342,345
Hands-Free Phone (UConnectŸ)........88,220,221
Hard Drive (HDD)....................217,220
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 286
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 366
Headlights............................ 429
Cleaning............................ 418
Delay.............................. 146
High Beam........................... 151
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 151
Lights On Reminder.................... 148
Passing............................. 150Replacing............................ 429
Heated Mirrors.......................... 87
Heated Seats........................... 124
Heater............................... 249
Heater, Engine Block..................... 274
High Beam Indicator..................... 204
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 151
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 350
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 176
Hood Release.......................... 142
Hoses................................ 407
Ignition.............................12,17
Key ................................. 12
Lock................................ 17
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 13
INDEX 465
10

Infant Restraint........................64,65
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 321
Information Center...................... 167
Information Center, Vehicle................. 167
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 84
Instrument Cluster....................... 203
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 201
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 418
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 426
Interior Appearance Care.................. 417
Interior Fuses.......................... 420
Interior Lighting........................ 145
Interior Lights.......................... 145
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 152
Introduction............................. 4
Inverter Outlet (115V)..................... 185
Jack Location........................... 367
Jack Operation.......................368,370Jacking Instructions...................... 371
Key, Programming........................ 15
Key, Replacement........................ 15
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 13
Keyless Entry System...................... 21
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 53
Lane Change and Turn Signals.........149,203,431
Lap/Shoulder Belts.....................42,47
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren).............................. 68
Life of Tires............................ 318
Liftgate................................ 37
Lights..............................77,144
Airbag............................61,213
Anti-Lock Warning..................... 205
Automatic Headlights................... 147
466 INDEX